The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-24
JOHN BROWNS BODY,
How Henry A. Wise Rejected Fernando
Woods Appeal to Save the Old Man.

How Henry A. Wise Rejected Fernando
Woods Appeal to Save the Old Man.
Chicago Inter Ocean.
The following correspondence will prove very
interesting reading. regardless OF the fact that
it took place many years ago. 1t is not gen
orally Known that the late Fernando Wood in
terested himself in saving John Brown felon's
DEATH nor is it known that he held Brown less
responsible than the late William H. Seward.
John Browns soul goes marching on" just the
same:
NEW YORK. Nov. 2, 1859.
ttAIy Dear Sir-Read this letter over carefully,
and, whether concurring not, in this view,
believe 1t emanates from your friend and man
man who has thorough knowledge of the
pulse of the people of the free States. Your
proceedings and conduct thus far. in the matter
of the conspiracy at Harper's Ferry meets with
general approval and ELECTS commentator from
your enemies. The firmness and moderation
which has characterized your course can
not be highly applauded, and to day
you stand higher than any other man in the
Union. Now. my friend. dare you do bold
thing and temper justice with mercyP Have
you nerve enough to send Brown to the State
prison fog life instead of hanging him2 Or.
rather, / should ask whether such course
would be consistent with your own sense of
duty, for know that that is the sole controller
of your official conduct Brown is looked upon
here the mere crazy or ool-hardy emissary
of other men. Circumstances create a sym
patty for him with the most ultra
friends of the South. am of this latter class.
as by recent speeches you may have OBJ
served. No Southern could go further
than myself in behalf of Southern rights; but
yet, were Governor of Virginia. Brown should
not be hung though Seward should beif could
catch him, and in such course my conduct would
be governed by sound policy. The South Will
gain by showing that it can he magnanimous to
fanatic in its power We who fight its battles
can gain largely by pointing to such an instance
of 'chivalry.' You judge of Southern
sentiment better than myself; l can judge of
Northern sentiment better than you. If the
South will sustain such act, the whole North
will rise up en- masse to applaud it. l have thus
briefly and frankly discharged my duty your
friend, to give advice under trying circum-
stances Very truly yours
"FERNANDo WOOD.
1.-THE Hon. II. A. wise.''
"RIcHMoND. Va. Nov. 4, 1859.
my Dear SRI have duly received and
weighed every word Of your letter l give it
all credit for good motive and good morals and
suggesting what. perhaps is good policy.
Now. listen to me, for my mind is inhexiby
made Ut. Had / reached Harper's Ferry before
these men were captured land l would have
reached there in time had been forwarded as L
ought to have been from Washington and the
Relay Housed. would have proclaimed martial
law, have stormed them in the quickest possible
time, have given them quarter, and,
if any had survived. l would have tried
and executed them under sentence of
court-martial But 1 was too late. The prison
ers were captives, and then determined to pro-
tect them to the uttermost of my power, and
did protect them with my own person. es-
corted them to prison. and placed around them
such force to overawe lynch law. Every
comfort given them by my orders And
they have been scrupulously afforded fair and
speedy trial. with every opportunity for defense,
for crimes which were openly perpetrated before
the eyes of hundreds. as openly confessed. They
could escape conviction only on technical excep-
tons. and the chances for these they had to a
greater degree by the expedition of prosecution.
And the crimes deliberately done by them are
of the deepest and darkest kind which be
committed against people Brown, the
chief leader, has been legally and fairly tried
and convicted and admits the humanity of his
treatment prisoner. the truth of the indict-
ment and the truthfulness OF the witnesses
against him. He has been allowed excess OF
of counsel. and the freedom of speech beyond any
prisoner known to me in our trials. 1t was i'm
possible not to convict him. He is sentenced to
be hung; that is the sentence of mild code,
humanely adjudged. and requires no duty from
me except TO SEES that it be executed. have to
sign no death warrant If the executive inter
poses at all. 1t is to pardon; and to pardo him
have received petitions prayers, threats from